LIST PICK

GRAE YOUR HANDS

Following on from smokey single ‘New Girl’, Toronto talent Grae returns with another RnB, jazz and pop infused number ‘Your Hands’. As with her last song, ‘Your Hands’ is “about taking power back after being in a manipulative relationship.” Grae takes up space through her music with her direct language and for listeners who have experienced similar head games through a relationship, it’s an empowering track. The artist doesn’t need a foot stomping, me-and-my-gurls chorus to get her message across.Instead, her husky voice, bluesy rhythms and elegant production holds our attention keenly. Even when the song does reach a level of climax, it does so by degrees, gradually layering soulful vocals, multi-textural percussion and resounding synths. ‘Your Hands’ comes with an artful black-and-white video in which Grae and her former love interest sit across from each other, her laying down the truth, and him making excuses. This perfectly sums up the songwriter’s intention to show how the power was in their hands “until the tables turned  and it wasn’t anymore. You gain your power back and realize your worth and tell this person you’re no longer here for their games.” - Hannah Thacker   [Photo credit: Lizzie O'Donnell]

Listen